Did you receive money or gift cards this holiday season? Are you still trying to decide what to buy? Before you rush out for that bottle of bubbly, we have a few planet-friendly suggestions that can help you get organized and/or save money over time.
Compostable Dog Poop Bags from GAS-Earth Friendly Pet Products – 10% of their profits go to the Soi Dog Foundation that provides medical treatment for homeless animals and rescues dogs from the Asian dog meat trade. They also donate products to shelters and charity events. The bags are 100% biodegradable and compostable, made from recycled materials, and are leakproof and odorless.
Reusable Unpaper Towels – they are bleach-free, bamboo, and washable – use them as napkins or cleaning cloths.
Glass Storage Containers with BPA Free Leak Proof Lids – Get rid of your plastic food storage containers and plastic wrap and save space in your kitchen cabinets because these glass containers can be used for storage, cooking, and microwaving.
Reusable Mesh Produce Bags – take them to the grocery store and stop wasting time trying to tear loose those plastic bags in the produce aisle. Stop plastic waste and keep your produce fresher longer. Mushrooms will keep longer stored in a paper bag in the refrigerator - I buy paper lunch bags and write the type of mushroom and the date purchased on the bag, for easy identification.
Beeswax Food Wrap – stop buying plastic wrap that tangles, tears poorly and ends up in landfills. Beeswax food wraps are washable and reusable and last for up to one year.
Silicone Stretch Lids – reusable, refrigerator, and freezer safe and microwave safe. Never buy plastic wrap again.
Dishwasher Safe Reusable Storage Bags –Made of food-grade PEVA material, PVC, BPA, and Lead-free, Freezer safe and leak-proof. One reusable storage bag can replace over 300 storage baggies.
Reusable Silicone or Metal Drinking Straws – they come with a cleaning brush, so you can keep them clean – stop buying and using plastic straws or hassling with paper straws that often tear and still must be thrown away after use. I’ve been using silicone and metal straws for the past three years at our house and I’m sold. It keeps plastic out of our landfills and out of our waterways and away from fish, manatees, and dolphins.
Reusable K Cups Universal Fit Reusable Coffee Filters – made with Eco-friendly Food Grade Stainless Steel mesh – I use these at my house – be sure to get the right one for your model of Keurig. These have saved me money vs. buying pods of coffee. They are easy to empty – I save the used coffee grounds to add to the soil in my flower beds. If you don’t overpack the filter, they work well.
Bamboo reusable make-up remover pads – they are washable. Most brands come in an 18 pack, so you never run out. If you wear make-up or apply toner or moisturizer daily think how many disposable cotton rounds you use each week, month, year… and some disposable rounds can leave fuzz on your skin.